Ampersand Design: Home Beautiful Nov 2010 Issue

Home Beautiful (AUS) Nov 2010

Okay, forgive my absence last week, I know not what happened. Well, yes actually I do. Procrastination + exhaustion = no blog posts. Pure & simple.

Anyhow, I hope to remedy that by overloading you with images from the latest issue of Home Beautiful. This issue celebrates 85 years of Home Beautiful (AUS) without an overload of nostalgia. The celebration is quiet & reflective rather than a boring reminiscence that other magazines seem to do. There is look back at '85 years of iconic design' highlighting the best rather than the worst of the past eight decades. It's an issue that is also a celebration of Australia without resorting to stereotypes or kitschness.

All the houses featured are Australian. Whilst they each have their merits, one in particular stood out for me in regard to both its' location & aesthetics. I have featured this house further down in this post.

I included the below pic mainly for the 'Australia Type Map' print in Duck Egg Blue from Bold & Noble, the beautiful 'Hepsi' overdyed rug from Loom Rugs & for the 'Hankie Flower round cushion in Mushroom from Lisa Stickley. I wouldn't mind any of these at all! (a little hint for Christmas if any family members are reading)

The next pic is a collage of three pics from the same home in Melbourne's east. Click on the image for a better look.

I love origami & the beauty of the origami balls below is enhanced by the use of pages from old school textbooks & children's story books to give an ethereal feel.

The below pic features designs by talented Australian artisans both past & present. The left picture showcases Grant Featherston's 'B230 Contour' chair, Bison ceramics, 'Sas Lena' felt rug by Bholu & 'Block 2' floor light by Henry Pilcher who I also mentioned in this post about Home Beautiful's October issue. The right picture features artworks from Udessi, Yellow Diva 'MSI' daybed, Mark Tuckey 'Jack Pine' side table, 'Campfire' table by Tomek Archer & a fabulous Florence Broadhurst by Signature Prints 'Honeycomb' rug from Cadrys.

This issue also features Home Beautiful's Product of the Year Awards 2010. Below is a collage of the winners & finalists in the following categories: walls & floors, outdoor living, textiles & lighting.

It was fantastic to see Mokum take out the textiles category for their 'Moderne' collection which I featured in this post. The lighting finalists were all amazing. I found it hard to pick clear winner in my mind as all the designs were exceptional. I found the walls& floors category exciting as the overall winner was a product I was unfamiliar with - Laminex 'Metaline' splashback. The Laminex 'Metaline' splashback is a metal surface finished with resilient high-gloss paint. The overall look is that of toughened glass, but is obviously more cost-effective. The surface is not only heat & water resistant, but is also flame-retardant. It is easily cut to suit any configuration & simple to install. Looks like a brilliant product for those who wish to achieve a high end look without spending a motza.

Also in the collage is the furniture design firm Zuster. Zuster has been a long time favourite of mine. The firm comprises four sisters & their father. The designs of Zuster are exquisite both in terms of craftsmanship & style.

Please click on the pic to get a better look at all the fabulous products.

Now, we come to the pick of the houses in this issue. This home is located in the Sunshine Coast hinterland of Queensland. After spending 15 years in Hong Kong, this family of four decided to relocate back to Australia for a more relaxed way of life. Owner Phillipa, designed the home & her previous work as a spa designer for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group led to her clear vision for the home. Although a resort type ambience is reflected in the design, this home is still personal in feel as it contains many fabulous pieces from the family's 15 years spent in Hong Kong. Phillipa's experience as a spa designer is nowhere more evident than in the luxuriance of the bathrooms & pool.

I really don't know how the family lives with that view. Hideous isn't it?

The fabulous work of Brisbane- based ceramicist Kim Wallace is also highlighted in this issue. Kim is the founder of Udessi, an online gallery & retailer of independent Australian art, craft & design. Kim also writes the Udessi blog.

The issue is full of so much more, including kitchen essentials from seven amazing Aussie chefs/cooks one of whom is the sensational Maggie Beer, Australia's top native plants from Jamie Durie, a large story on home makeovers & mouthwatering food ideas. Speaking of which I'll leave you with two quintessential Aussie favourites: A pav & lamingtons!